Wintertime nitrate formation during haze days in the Guanzhong basin, China: A case study. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feng, Tian; Bei, Naifang; Zhao, Shuyu; Wu, Jiarui; Li, Xia; Zhang, Ting; Cao, Junji; Zhou, Weijian; Li, Guohui
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 243(2018)Part B
• Page Start: 1057
• Page End: 1067
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Nitrate -- PM2.5 -- HONO -- WRF-Chem; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.09.069
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, the formation of nitrate aerosol from 16 to 24 December 2015 in the Guanzhong basin, China is simulated using the WRF-Chem model. The predicted near-surface O3, NO2, and fine particulate matters (PM2.5 ) in the basin and inorganic aerosols and nitrous acid (HONO) in Xi'an are generally in good agreement with the observations. Sensitivity studies show that the heterogeneous HONO sources play an appreciable role in the nitrate formation in the basin, contributing 9.2% of nitrate mass concentrations during heavy haze days. Nitrate formation is also affected by sulfate due to their competition for ammonia, particularly in urban areas. A 50% decrease in SO2 emissions enhances the nitrate concentration by 6.2% during heavy haze days on average in the basin, and a 50% increase in SO2 emission reduces the nitrate concentration by 9.7%. The roles of HONO and sulfate competition in nitrate formation are strongly modulated by ammonia. Agricultural emissions predominate the nitrate level in the basin (93.5%), but the non-agricultural sources cannot substantially influence nitrate formation (3.7%–14.6%). Reducing agricultural emission is an effective control strategy to mitigate nitrate pollution in the basin. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Heterogeneous HONO sources contributes 9.2% of nitrate mass during heavy haze days. Nitrate formation is affected by sulfate due to the competition for ammonia. The roles of HONO and sulfate competition are strongly modulated by ammonia. Non-agricultural emissions cannot significantly affect nitrate formation. Abstract : The heterogeneous HONO source and sulfate competition play appropriate roles in nitrate formation in the Guanzhong basin, which is strongly modulated by ammonia.